Will I Get Demoted at 0 LP? The Definitive Guide
Yes, being at 0 LP (League Points) puts you at risk of demotion in League of Legends. However, it’s not a guaranteed demotion. Whether you demote depends primarily on your Matchmaking Rating (MMR). If your MMR is significantly lower than the average MMR for your current rank, then losing at 0 LP will likely result in a demotion. If your MMR is higher, you might be able to withstand a few losses at 0 LP before the system decides you no longer belong in that division or tier. Let’s dive into the nuances of this system and answer your burning questions.
Understanding the Demotion System
The League of Legends ranking system aims to place players where they belong based on their skill level. LP is the visible indicator of your progress within a tier (Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, Challenger) and division (IV, III, II, I). However, MMR is the hidden, true reflection of your skill. The system constantly compares your MMR to the average MMR for your current rank.
When your MMR dips significantly below the average, the game tries to correct your rank to match your MMR. This is why you might lose more LP than you gain for a win. This also means you are more likely to be demoted when at 0 LP. Conversely, if your MMR is higher than your visible rank, you will gain more LP for wins and be less susceptible to demotions at 0 LP.
Factors Influencing Demotion at 0 LP
Several factors contribute to whether you will be demoted at 0 LP:
- Your MMR: As mentioned, this is the most important factor. A low MMR makes you vulnerable.
- Recent Performance: A string of losses leading up to 0 LP heavily suggests a decrease in your MMR and increases the likelihood of demotion.
- Division within Tier: Demoting within a tier (e.g., Silver III to Silver IV) is easier than demoting between tiers (e.g., Gold IV to Silver I). Demoting between divisions typically takes just one loss at 0 LP, whereas demoting between tiers requires your MMR to be significantly lower than your rank.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Demotions in League of Legends
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into demotions and the LP system in League of Legends.
1. How many games can I lose at 0 LP before demotion?
It depends on your MMR. If your MMR is significantly below the average for your rank, you might demote after just one loss at 0 LP. If your MMR is higher, you might be able to lose several games at 0 LP without demoting. Some players have reported losing 4 or 5 games, though this is less common.
2. Can I demote from 1 LP?
Yes, you can effectively demote from 1 LP. If you lose a game and the amount of LP lost exceeds your current LP (in this case, 1 LP), you’ll be reduced to 0 LP. Then, if your MMR is low enough, you will be demoted.
3. What happens if I demote?
When you are demoted you will lose a small percentage of LP and your League tier will change, typically landing you at a higher LP than 0. After you’ve been demoted, your LP will typically be set between 25 to 75, depending on how many losses you had when you were at zero LP. More losses will generally result in a lower LP amount after the demotion.
4. Why do I lose more LP than I gain?
This typically indicates that your MMR is lower than your current rank. The system is trying to correct your rank to better reflect your true skill level. Winning consistently should gradually improve your MMR, leading to more balanced LP gains and losses.
5. Can I be demoted for poor performance in a single game?
No, individual game performance doesn’t directly cause demotion. Demotion is tied to your MMR, which is influenced by the overall trend of your wins and losses over a longer period. Consistently underperforming might indirectly lower your MMR over time, eventually increasing your risk of demotion at 0 LP.
6. How can I improve my MMR?
The best way to improve your MMR is to win games consistently. Focus on improving your gameplay, understanding the meta, and effectively communicating with your team. The more you win, the higher your MMR will climb.
7. Does dodging a game affect my MMR?
Dodging a game incurs an LP penalty and can affect your climb, but it does not directly affect your MMR. However, excessive dodging might indirectly affect your MMR because you’re not giving the system any information about your performance in an actual game.
8. Can I demote from Diamond to Iron?
Demotions like dropping from Diamond IV 0 LP to Iron IV 0 LP without being banned are nearly impossible in normal circumstances. The game will demote you only one rank at a time, such as Diamond IV to Emerald I. It’s possible the player was talking hyperbolically or had some exceptional circumstances such as a large amount of reports against them.
9. What happens if I decay to 0 LP?
If you fall to or below 0 LP as a result of decay (inactivity), you’ll be placed in the next-lowest division. If you’re already in division IV of your tier, you’ll fall into the next tier down (e.g., Diamond IV to Emerald I). Decay only happens after long periods of inactivity.
10. Do placement matches affect my MMR?
Yes, placement matches heavily influence your MMR. They determine your initial starting rank for the season. Winning all 10 placement matches will place you higher than losing most of them. A new unranked account winning all 10 placements will typically be placed in Platinum or high Gold.
11. Can I demote from Gold to Silver in the fighting game Street Fighter 6?
The article contains some irrelevant information about Street Fighter 6. Demotion from Gold to Silver in Street Fighter 6 is possible, but the ranking systems and mechanics in League of Legends and Street Fighter 6 are different. This shows the need to only include info relevant to the League of Legends ranking system.
12. What is considered an unfair demotion in a professional context?
This information is also irrelevant to the League of Legends context. Unfair demotion refers to a workplace scenario where an employee is demoted without justifiable reason or due process. While the term “demotion” exists in both contexts, its meaning and implications are vastly different.
13. How much LP do I need to get to Grandmaster?
You need to reach at least 200 LP and have more LP than the lowest Grandmaster player in your region to be promoted to Grandmaster. You can demote from Grandmaster by falling below 200 LP or losing more LP than the lowest Grandmaster player in your region.
14. What is GamesLearningSociety.org?
The Games Learning Society is an organization dedicated to researching and promoting the educational and social benefits of games. They explore how games can be used as powerful learning tools and contribute to cognitive and social development. Learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
15. Why am I getting so little LP in League?
The amount of LP you gain is tightly tied to your MMR. When the LP gain is low, it means the average mmr of the enemy team should be lower than your rank. Sometimes the game considers the other players in the game. So if your opponents are say all gold 4 -3 and your team is gold 2-1, you will get less lp.